Race Previews

Hopkins Hosts Mini Sprint Nationals!

Friday, 30 August 2024 00:10

HOPKINS ROYAL TRIATHLON PREVIEW- The HroT--the event's preferred acronym—is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday. As always, the event filled early, but we nevertheless invite everyone to attend and participate either as a volunteer or a spectator. In case you don't know, Hopkins is one of region's premier spectator events. The finish area crowds are large and enthusiastic. Great vibe...

Though Saturday's event will be “free-for-all” style, meaning that everyone is enrolled in the Mini Sprint—the race is the Mini Sprint National Championships!--athletes have the option to do the full Sprint, or any variations thereof. (Visit the WEBSITE for a more complete explanation.)

This event has one of the highest recidivism rates of any event on the Minnesota calendar, i.e.a large percentage of those who have done this event return each year. It's that awesome. And here, in alpha order, are some of those athletes, with a few competitive newcomers tossed in as well, and why we expect them to excel on Saturday.

MARY DEEG, 61, Annandale – Three AG wins including at least one divisional record this year. She placed 6th overall here and first in her AG in 2021.

DENNY ELLIGSON, 71, Mankato - Making his HroT debut, he set an AGR at Green Lake two weeks ago. If he does the full course, he could rewrite the 70-74M mark.

JEFF GILMER, 65, Annandale – A divisional winner here in 2021, the 65-69M record could fall this weekend if he races the full course.

HELEN GUNTHER, 67. Excelsior – Like Ellingson, she's already reset an AG record this year. And yes, the 65-69W mark could fall on Saturday.

SAM HAUCK, 40, Eden Prairie – Our pick to win the race. He has two wins in three starts this year. He was runner-up here back in 2018, when he turned in the 2nd fastest time (1:02:56) in race history.

CATHERINE LEE, 49, Eden Prairie – Women's winner here in 2021, and podium finisher on at least four other occasions, she could place as high as 2nd in the women's race. If she does the Super Sprint, she could win it.

HEATHER LENDWAY, 40, St. Paul – Two-time winner and women's CR-holder here. We never bet against her. Last year, she outraced everyone, men, women and non-binary.

BRETT LOVAAS, 49, Minnetonka – A three-time winner here. The men's Podium may have a step for him.

ANDREA MYERS, 48, Medicine Lake – A win and three additional podiums at HRoT, she's having a terrific 2024 season. Podium? Yes!

STEPHANIE PETERSON, 47, Apple Valley – A Master of the Year nominee in 2023, the women's 45-49 AG competition will be exciting with Peterson facing Myers and Lee.

ROD RAYMOND, 59, Duluth – The Rocket already owns the 55-59 AGR.

MICAH WARNING, 27, Rochester – A talented guy who appears ready to break out. A podium finish is definitely possible.